Venue Detail
Club Cumming
About this venue
Club Cumming in Manhattan's East Village is a theatrical, inclusive sanctuary that feels like a "millennial birthday party gone slightly off the rails". Co-owned by actor Alan Cumming, the space is a hybrid of a cabaret lounge, dive bar, and high-energy dance club, known for its eclectic nightly programming and spontaneous celebrity pop-ups. Community tips: Check the Calendar: Since the vibe changes nightly—from quiet knitting circles to raunchy variety shows—it's essential to check the official schedule before heading out. Arrive Early: Because the venue is tiny and mostly standing room, regulars recommend arriving at least 15–20 minutes before a show to snag a spot. Phone Etiquette: Alan Cumming famously discourages phone use inside to encourage actual conversation among patrons. Signature Events: Mondays in the Club: A legendary piano bar night with live accompaniment that is a favorite for Broadway actors on their night off. Tea Dance: Saturday afternoons often feature themed dance parties like the "Romy & Michele Afternoon Tea Dance".
Practical details
Address: 505 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Hours: Event-led; contact page lists 18:00-04:00.
Canonical: https://www.queeratlas.app/es/new_york/venues/club-cumming--945
Venue intelligence
Know before you go
Typical queue
Club Cumming is a small performance room, so ticketed cabaret and weekend events fill from the stage outward. Buy the named show when offered and arrive before doors for a sightline; the venue’s contact hours run 6pm–4am, but the live calendar controls access.
Best night
Choose by act: queerlesque, drag and dancing, trans comedy, cabaret and piano each produce a different audience. An early cabaret rewards attention; later weekend programming becomes more social and dance-led. Verify the dated calendar.
Locals vs visitors
Performers, theatre people, gay men, trans and non-binary guests, drag audiences, celebrities and East Village visitors share a deliberately intimate queer room. The host and format can shift the gender and age balance dramatically.
Dress code in practice
Expressive nightlife clothes, vintage glamour, cabaret polish and ordinary denim all fit. There is no single published uniform. Dress for the act and a close room; accessibility matters more than fashion because the physical venue states it is not ADA compliant.
Staff inclusion
Current programming materially includes trans comedy, queerlesque and drag rather than relying on a generic welcome. The venue explicitly says the physical space is not ADA compliant; contact it before purchase for mobility needs instead of expecting an improvised route.
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